The huge demand for imported baby formula in China is well appreciated globally. While infant formula may have occupied investors’ attention some big enterprises like Hero and Happyfamily (Subsidiary Corporation of Danone Group), BGI etc. are looking to cash in on China’s growing demand for INFANT COMPLEMENTARY FOOD. With a large population of babies and Chinese consumer’s prioritization of high quality foods the market is predicted to grow considerably in the coming years.
National Standards for Infant and Young Children Complementary Food
GB 10769-2010 National Food Safety Standard Cereal-based Complementary Foods for Infants and Young Children (Applicable age: 6months-3 years)
GB 10770-2010 Canned complementary foods for infants and young children (Applicable age: 6months-3 years)
GB 22570-2014 Complementary and Nutritional Supplements (Applicable age: 6months – 36months and 37months – 60months)
Due to the limited market share occupied by Infant and Young Child Complementary Food in Chinese national standards, some foreign infant foods which contain globally standardized nutrients with historically establish safety and functional records are not covered by Chinese standards and therefore cannot exported to China. Regarding Article 63 of FOOD SAFETY LAW of the CHINA, importation of food without a national food safety standard, the importer shall submit an application and relevant safety assessment materials to the executive department of health under the State Council. The executive department of health under the State Council shall decide whether to approve or reject. This is a time consuming process and therefore if expedited market access is a priority finding an applicable national standard and modifying your product to fit this standard is a better strategy.
Statistics on Incompliant Imported Infant and Young Child Food
According to statistics issued by AQSIQ, since the start of 2014, a total of 7474kg of imported infant and young children complementary foods were destroyed or rejected at the port. The top three factors for testing failures are:
Illegally probiotic cultures added
Inadequate amounts of nutrients (based on the China GB standards)
Excess insoluble fiber
Figure 1: Total Amount (kg) of imported infant and young children complementary food rejected or destroyed
How to make your imported infant and young children complementary food compliant with Chinese Regulations?
There are three steps recommended as below:
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